This page can be used to place your ideas for the Creativity Week. For each idea, give a Title,description, estimated time needed, resources needed, the academic subjects involved (cross-discipline collaboration), and any problems you can foresee. Note placing ideas here does not mean you have to do that project. We want this space to be for sharing ideas and generating more ideas -- good and not-so-good.
If you are looking for ideas check out the booklet from Edutopia, "The Best of Cool Schools: Project Learning" on the table by the copier. Projects include: designing and building an electric car, working to clean up a harbor, film school/digital storytelling, building a social network for use in a Science/Tech school, performance, outdoor programs. Here's a link from Susan: Edutopia's Project Learning Primer; it's on Moodle but it's good enough to warrant providing it here too.
Film Fest
Writing scripts, videotaping and editing commercials, short stories, music videos, etc. Estimated time 2-3 days. Cameras, computers needed. The culmination would be a film fest of top nominated videos. Collab: English, video production. Possible problems: lack of cameras.
Egg Astronaut
Students are given a rocket engine(s) and one egg. They have to launch the egg and return it safely to the Earth. Estimate 1-2 days, but not the full 3 days. Friday can be work and launch day. I would like to video it, but I can use my own camera. Collab: sci, video/podcasting
Solar Power Kiosk
Part of the BP grant includes building a portable scale model of the solar power system that will be installed on the science building. Not sure how to get 20 students involved. Probably would take 2 days. Resources would be digital still and/or video camera to document construction. Collab: sci (strong energy content), engineering, video/podcasting
Homeless In Houston
Students interview homeless people around Houston and report on their stories and condition. Time est. probably all 3 days. Would need video camera or audio recorder (for podcast) Computer needed to edit/mix report. Not sure how to incorporate 20 students. Probably not enough cameras/recorders for all 20. Collab: social studies, economics, video/podcasting, history?
"Chinquapin Live"
Use and facilitate others' use of UStream to broadcast from Chinquapin. Broadcast the Friday "Creativity Fair" day. Sports events too. Audio or video? I have no real preference, although audio would force students to verbalize more. 1-2 days is my guess. Need computer, fast connection (maybe wired?). Collab: communications, language, video prod (audio editing portion only if podcast), technology
Photography for Social Progress
Identify a problem in your community and use photojournalism to document the program and call for action. Work with an elementary school in that community to spread the word. Will need access to cameras, computers and Internet at some point during the project. Can be done in 3 days.
Archaeology
Playin' in the dirt! Use the volleyball pit? Bury items for kids to unearth. Watch out for cat poop.
Stain Glass
Bill, you're on! Maybe have kids do small pieces and join them as a group to make a Chinquapin stained glass "quilt." (Might be a nice retirement gift from some students.)
Sculpture
Rumor has it DH knows about this?
Armand Bayou
Study various ecosystems: prarie, water, etc., and the different organisms that live in them. Need bus.
Galveston Island State Park
Survey, drawings of ecosystems. Salt water ecosystems. Need bus.
No Waste Day
Chinquapin produces zero waste for one day.
Wind Turbines
Students build wind turbines. Options run the gamut from building from scratch to ready-made kits. Kits are expensive. Probably choose something between. Use/Recycle plastic bottles for blades? We want to try and use the energy generated for something. These won't generate much, so might be something decorative rather than practical. Maybe some LEDs. Also turbines can be used to monitor wind speeds at different locations to evaluate the locations for real turbines (possible grant effort). Mount in area between chem & bio rooms; gets windy there but sheltered from rain. Attach to ceiling to keep out of the way. Time is 1-2 days. Collab: Physics, Social Studies, Env Sci.
Solar Ovens
Part of Alternative NRG Days. Students have to cook some food using a solar oven they construct. They would research how to build one (there are many designs out there that can be found on the Internet), procure a box. We provide Al foil, glue, tape,... We'd measure temp rise inside the oven and compare. Rather than cook we may just melt, like smores; cooking might take too long. No real limitation to # of students and not a lot of special resources needed. Computers needed to do initial research. Hopefully it'll be sunny. Can also make a parabolic reflector type oven to cook a hot dog or Vienna Sausage (bachelors are familiar with these). Maybe have an upper school math class design a parabolic template. Not sure what material to use that can be formed into parabolic surface. Again, not a whole lot of resources needed. Something to stick the sausage on (coat hangar wire?) Need to use caution with parabolic reflector ovens. Find how solar ovens are helpful in developing countries. Time: 1 day. Collab: Physics, Env Sci, Social Studies
Photosynthesis Study
Jeremy
Identification of Native/Non-native Species
Jeremy
Robotics
Students build, program LEGO robots. Need 10 robots (teams of 2). Depends on grant $. Need one computer per robot. Collab: physics (mechanics), art, technology
Alpha and Omega
Students visit and report on places that represent beginning of life (maternity ward) and end of life (assisted living, Hospice, ICU). Need audio/video and computer resources, bus. Not sure how to incorporate 20 students -- has to be <5 students, I think. Collab: Health, social studies, biology
Electronic Kit Building
Students learn to solder and use simple tools building electronic kits. Many kits are ~$10 each. One kit would take a morning, so probably need 2 kits per student. Brian should have enough soldering irons and solder; they are pretty cheap anyway. Collab: electronics, art. Fun and a new skill, but not highly creative.
Pirate Ship
Students build and pilot a 2-4 person boat made from cardboard. Need large cardboard boxes from major appliance stores. Use of reservior OK? Alligator slalom? Maybe use computer to research what works. Time ~1 day. Collab: physics, art, history?
Ping-Pong Tables
Wouldn't it be nice to have some for PE and maybe the occasional in-school tournament? Students research how to build (dimensions, etc.) and actually build n tables. Need to buy wood (MDF?), paint (special?) saw horses, nets, paddles. Might be a little expensive. Time 1-2 days. Collab: math, art, PE, social studies (if we can get a Chinese Olympic Team member to give us some lessons - online?) Where to store them afterward? Weather/Humidity effects over time.
Living History
Record a living history of Chinquapin. Design a 2 - 3 minute PR spot for Chinquapin. Teachers and Board Members would also be interviewed. Try to capture what it is about Chinquapin, that has made people want to keep its doors open for 40 years. Collab: history, social studies, and video production.
Cooking Project
Cooking classes. Collab: biology, chemistry, history, social studies, math
Car Repair, Home Repair
Bicente? Bill, Jeremy, Brian, anyone else?
Repaint Tennis Courts
Maybe students get to paint a logo or some other design.
Bicycle Generator
from DH: mate a bicycle with a generator. Kids can charge up a battery by riding. Gum and being late to class will cost you 1Wh. No H/W =2Wh. Pretty cool if we could meter it and set an alarm when the penalty is met! Got to find an old bike, generator, battery. Welding possible. Maybe 5 kids. Collab: science, PE.
Recycled Rube-Goldberg Machine
Make a Rube-Goldberg machine from recycle bin items, scrap wood, recycled plastic, etc. Maybe 10 kids max. for 1 day. Don't empty recycle bin or take recycles that week! Probably a lot of hot glue, other glue. Maybe some basic tools (saw, hammar), depending on wood. Collab: physics, art
Chinquapin Mythbusters
Like the show (but with little or no budget). Confirm/Bust myths. Could combine many disciplines, depending on myths. Need to pick myths: watched pots never boil (or more slowly), etc. Video could be really fun too.
Giant Newton's Cradle
Make a Newton's cradle with bowling balls and cable. Need 5 bowling balls, cable, 2x4s for frame. Collab: sci, art
Tapestries for Art, Tech, Middle Science Rooms
Make tapestries (or something similar) to hang in rooms where acoustics are horrendous. Need cloth materials; probably can't sew on designs, but maybe can glue on? Themes? Collab: art, campus improvements.
Ruben's Tube
Make a tube of flames that responds to sound waves. Need PVC, speaker, amplifier.
Geoboards
Make a grid of nails on which rubber bands can be placed to make geometric shapes. Need wood, nails, hammers.
If you are looking for ideas check out the booklet from Edutopia, "The Best of Cool Schools: Project Learning" on the table by the copier. Projects include: designing and building an electric car, working to clean up a harbor, film school/digital storytelling, building a social network for use in a Science/Tech school, performance, outdoor programs. Here's a link from Susan: Edutopia's Project Learning Primer; it's on Moodle but it's good enough to warrant providing it here too.
Film Fest
Writing scripts, videotaping and editing commercials, short stories, music videos, etc. Estimated time 2-3 days. Cameras, computers needed. The culmination would be a film fest of top nominated videos. Collab: English, video production. Possible problems: lack of cameras.
Egg Astronaut
Students are given a rocket engine(s) and one egg. They have to launch the egg and return it safely to the Earth. Estimate 1-2 days, but not the full 3 days. Friday can be work and launch day. I would like to video it, but I can use my own camera. Collab: sci, video/podcasting
Solar Power Kiosk
Part of the BP grant includes building a portable scale model of the solar power system that will be installed on the science building. Not sure how to get 20 students involved. Probably would take 2 days. Resources would be digital still and/or video camera to document construction. Collab: sci (strong energy content), engineering, video/podcasting
Homeless In Houston
Students interview homeless people around Houston and report on their stories and condition. Time est. probably all 3 days. Would need video camera or audio recorder (for podcast) Computer needed to edit/mix report. Not sure how to incorporate 20 students. Probably not enough cameras/recorders for all 20. Collab: social studies, economics, video/podcasting, history?
"Chinquapin Live"
Use and facilitate others' use of UStream to broadcast from Chinquapin. Broadcast the Friday "Creativity Fair" day. Sports events too. Audio or video? I have no real preference, although audio would force students to verbalize more. 1-2 days is my guess. Need computer, fast connection (maybe wired?). Collab: communications, language, video prod (audio editing portion only if podcast), technology
Photography for Social Progress
Identify a problem in your community and use photojournalism to document the program and call for action. Work with an elementary school in that community to spread the word. Will need access to cameras, computers and Internet at some point during the project. Can be done in 3 days.
Archaeology
Playin' in the dirt! Use the volleyball pit? Bury items for kids to unearth. Watch out for cat poop.
Stain Glass
Bill, you're on! Maybe have kids do small pieces and join them as a group to make a Chinquapin stained glass "quilt." (Might be a nice retirement gift from some students.)
Sculpture
Rumor has it DH knows about this?
Armand Bayou
Study various ecosystems: prarie, water, etc., and the different organisms that live in them. Need bus.
Galveston Island State Park
Survey, drawings of ecosystems. Salt water ecosystems. Need bus.
No Waste Day
Chinquapin produces zero waste for one day.
Wind Turbines
Students build wind turbines. Options run the gamut from building from scratch to ready-made kits. Kits are expensive. Probably choose something between. Use/Recycle plastic bottles for blades? We want to try and use the energy generated for something. These won't generate much, so might be something decorative rather than practical. Maybe some LEDs. Also turbines can be used to monitor wind speeds at different locations to evaluate the locations for real turbines (possible grant effort). Mount in area between chem & bio rooms; gets windy there but sheltered from rain. Attach to ceiling to keep out of the way. Time is 1-2 days. Collab: Physics, Social Studies, Env Sci.
Solar Ovens
Part of Alternative NRG Days. Students have to cook some food using a solar oven they construct. They would research how to build one (there are many designs out there that can be found on the Internet), procure a box. We provide Al foil, glue, tape,... We'd measure temp rise inside the oven and compare. Rather than cook we may just melt, like smores; cooking might take too long. No real limitation to # of students and not a lot of special resources needed. Computers needed to do initial research. Hopefully it'll be sunny. Can also make a parabolic reflector type oven to cook a hot dog or Vienna Sausage (bachelors are familiar with these). Maybe have an upper school math class design a parabolic template. Not sure what material to use that can be formed into parabolic surface. Again, not a whole lot of resources needed. Something to stick the sausage on (coat hangar wire?) Need to use caution with parabolic reflector ovens. Find how solar ovens are helpful in developing countries. Time: 1 day. Collab: Physics, Env Sci, Social Studies
Photosynthesis Study
Jeremy
Identification of Native/Non-native Species
Jeremy
Robotics
Students build, program LEGO robots. Need 10 robots (teams of 2). Depends on grant $. Need one computer per robot. Collab: physics (mechanics), art, technology
Alpha and Omega
Students visit and report on places that represent beginning of life (maternity ward) and end of life (assisted living, Hospice, ICU). Need audio/video and computer resources, bus. Not sure how to incorporate 20 students -- has to be <5 students, I think. Collab: Health, social studies, biology
Electronic Kit Building
Students learn to solder and use simple tools building electronic kits. Many kits are ~$10 each. One kit would take a morning, so probably need 2 kits per student. Brian should have enough soldering irons and solder; they are pretty cheap anyway. Collab: electronics, art. Fun and a new skill, but not highly creative.
Pirate Ship
Students build and pilot a 2-4 person boat made from cardboard. Need large cardboard boxes from major appliance stores. Use of reservior OK? Alligator slalom? Maybe use computer to research what works. Time ~1 day. Collab: physics, art, history?
Ping-Pong Tables
Wouldn't it be nice to have some for PE and maybe the occasional in-school tournament? Students research how to build (dimensions, etc.) and actually build n tables. Need to buy wood (MDF?), paint (special?) saw horses, nets, paddles. Might be a little expensive. Time 1-2 days. Collab: math, art, PE, social studies (if we can get a Chinese Olympic Team member to give us some lessons - online?) Where to store them afterward? Weather/Humidity effects over time.
Living History
Record a living history of Chinquapin. Design a 2 - 3 minute PR spot for Chinquapin. Teachers and Board Members would also be interviewed. Try to capture what it is about Chinquapin, that has made people want to keep its doors open for 40 years. Collab: history, social studies, and video production.
Cooking Project
Cooking classes. Collab: biology, chemistry, history, social studies, math
Car Repair, Home Repair
Bicente? Bill, Jeremy, Brian, anyone else?
Repaint Tennis Courts
Maybe students get to paint a logo or some other design.
Bicycle Generator
from DH: mate a bicycle with a generator. Kids can charge up a battery by riding. Gum and being late to class will cost you 1Wh. No H/W =2Wh. Pretty cool if we could meter it and set an alarm when the penalty is met! Got to find an old bike, generator, battery. Welding possible. Maybe 5 kids. Collab: science, PE.
Recycled Rube-Goldberg Machine
Make a Rube-Goldberg machine from recycle bin items, scrap wood, recycled plastic, etc. Maybe 10 kids max. for 1 day. Don't empty recycle bin or take recycles that week! Probably a lot of hot glue, other glue. Maybe some basic tools (saw, hammar), depending on wood. Collab: physics, art
Chinquapin Mythbusters
Like the show (but with little or no budget). Confirm/Bust myths. Could combine many disciplines, depending on myths. Need to pick myths: watched pots never boil (or more slowly), etc. Video could be really fun too.
Giant Newton's Cradle
Make a Newton's cradle with bowling balls and cable. Need 5 bowling balls, cable, 2x4s for frame. Collab: sci, art
Tapestries for Art, Tech, Middle Science Rooms
Make tapestries (or something similar) to hang in rooms where acoustics are horrendous. Need cloth materials; probably can't sew on designs, but maybe can glue on? Themes? Collab: art, campus improvements.
Ruben's Tube
Make a tube of flames that responds to sound waves. Need PVC, speaker, amplifier.
Geoboards
Make a grid of nails on which rubber bands can be placed to make geometric shapes. Need wood, nails, hammers.